Comments on: Pay the Preacher!

By: John B.

John B. — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:54:11 +0000

Thanks for your comment Gary. I will be updating soon. Keep checking in!

By: John B.

John B. — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:15:10 +0000

Mike–

As always, thanks for your forthright comments. I would respond in two ways: what biblical PREscriptions can you offer that church growth is to be held as a value over and above other values that would justify returning to such a model? You have identified a biblical DEscription, but that is not in the category of a biblical “ought.” Here is an example of the latter, however: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18 RSV).

By: Mike Barnett

Mike Barnett — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:12:25 +0000

Interesting that the most effective model for expanding the church and proclaiming the gospel from New Testament times and throughout history has been an unpaid, lay-led church leadership model.

By: John B.

John B. — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:37:54 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Zack.
Before I respond, you know that I’m a layman, not someone in full-time ministry. So I write and respond on this topic as a lifelong observer of others in full-time ministry, including (but not limited to) my family–my dad has been a pastor ever since I’ve known him, my father-in-law is a minister, and now my brother and brother-in-law and their families are in full-time ministry as well.
It may well be that at SOME churches, the congregation is small or perhaps the people are just plain ol’ low maintenance. But, if ministry is being done properly, then it will be as demanding as anything out there. If a particular church doesn’t need the pastor to comfort the afflicted for lack of problems (a rare scenario), then it may be the case that he needs to be afflicting the comfortable by moving the church forward in ways that are productive and good, however unsettling his agenda might be for the congregation. All that to say that there is always more than enough work to go ’round in full-time ministry, since the “work” itself is people.

By: Zack Fallon

Zack Fallon — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:19:50 +0000

In my short-lived experience with the church, another assumption that I have seen among those called to “full-time ministry” is that the work is not as demanding. By setting up a system of expectations, followed by accountability, the byproduct will be a congregation that reaps the benefits of a pastoral staff that is being sharpened by its church leadership. Also, the pastoral staff will know what to expect in their pay and will not have an argument against what they receive because the numbers will not lie (unless, of course, performance is judged on a subjective basis).

I am sure the diligent workers of the pastoral staff appreciate you very much, sir. The not so diligent, not so much…

You can attend my church any day. AND be on the leadership team(s)!!